McNeil said the builder is “going to get the chance to put it through some really aggressive sea trials this fall, hopefully to be ready for next year. I, like all Nova Scotians, want to see this behind us. This has been a very challenging five years.”

The schooner rebuild is now three years behind schedule and more than $4.5 million over budget.

The province took possession of the vessel last month despite ongoing problems with the ship, including its steel rudder and steering system.

The effort to rebuild Bluenose II, a replica of the original Grand Banks fishing schooner that was launched in 1963, was announced in May 2009 by former Tory premier Rodney MacDonald. It was expected to cost $14.4 million.

When the NDP government took over, it said the ship would be set to sail in the summer of 2011.

McNeil has called in the auditor general to review the program, which now stands at $19 million with a further $5 million in disputed work claims.

McNeil said Monday there are “lots of questions that need to be answered” concerning the project and the auditor general’s review should answer many of them.

And he said the government will pursue other questions, such as why the rebuild fell under the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage instead of Transportation, which is the department that deals with major capital projects.

“There are lots of questions that need to be answered but we’re really focused today on making sure we get the vessel sailing , it’s safe and that we put it through the sea trials that we believe are going to be necessary before we go into the season next year,” the premier said.

McNeil said his government has “not shied away from the challenges this project has faced,” and will tell Nova Scotians what the auditor general uncovers.

The premier said he hopes the cloud hanging over the schooner’s reputation will lift once the ship is sailing again.

While its home port of Lunenburg has a greater connection to the vessel, McNeil said it is an icon for all Nova Scotians, “and I think once we deal with all of the issues … get those behind us and have the vessel sailing again, I think Nova Scotians will show the pride they’ve always shown in Bluenose and it will become the sailing ambassador that it was.”